Absolutely stunning work. Ambergrove manages to distil the entire feeling of Autumn into a single glance. From the amber lighting to the stylised foliage and chunky mushroom forms, the aesthetic direction is both elegant and warm, like a mushroom fairy tale told through an isometric lens. The soft palette makes the whole screen feel cohesive without becoming bland, and the grid subtly guides the eye without distracting from the visual clarity. The UI is clean and minimal, but still playful, with just the right level of detail for a game that encourages thoughtful interaction. Really charming use of spacing and colour hierarchy too.
Thematically, this one is right on the money. The jam’s focus on ‘Expansion’ is beautifully represented through the slow, deliberate growth of your mushroom colony, and the way the landscape reacts to your choices over time. The ‘Autumn’ theme runs deep too, not just in colour, but in mood. There’s a sense of peaceful decay and quiet strategy, like watching a forest floor breathe. Easily one of the more tranquil takes in the jam, and one that’s stuck in my head a bit since playing. Very different tempo to my own entry, which makes me appreciate the restraint here all the more.